Shari Harpaz, CCC-SLP
(Speech-Language Pathologist)
Shari has her Masters in speech-language pathology. She has over 10 years experience working with young children with a variety of speech and language disorders. She specializes in children with PDD-NOS, social and play deficits, developmental verbal dyspraxia, and oral motor deficits. Shari attended Cornell University for her undergraduate degree in psychology and Teacher’s College, Columbia University for her Master’s degree in Speech-Language Pathology. Shari was an adjunct professor at Teacher’s College for 5 years and taught graduate students therapy and diagnostic skills.
FAQ
- At what age should my child say their first word?
- The norm is for a girl to say her first words between 11-14 months and for a boy to say his first words between 12 – 16 months.
see our ABCs Toys
- What is considered a first word?
- Any word approximation that the child uses consistently for the same object/person. For example, using “baba” for bottle. Words that infants/toddlers say will not sound like the adult word at first. There is a natural progression of speech sound development that moves their “baby word” along a continuum, resulting in the adult word.
- What is the best way to stimulate language development?
- During those times when you are on the floor playing with your child, you should model language at a level that is at or one word above where the child’s current language is. If your child only babbles, use single word labels while playing; if he/she is using one word, you should model two word phrases (i.e. my ball). During all other times, speak to your child using “normal” language so that your child hears the adult, grammatical model.
- What do I do if my child does not consistently respond when I ask them to do something or ask them a question?
- For our busy youngsters it can be hard to focus on auditory (sounds we hear) information when they are playing with toys and/or engaged in activities. Try walking closer to your child and getting down to his/her eye level. Make sure your child is looking at you before you begin to give the direction or ask the question.